![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
Senior Kailee Gifford becomes new kicker for the football team
Kailee Gifford (12) kicks the ball during an away game at Prospect HS. The eagles lost the game.
September 28, 2016
For the past three years, all kickers for the football team have been soccer players, and Kailee Gifford (12) continued the pattern this year.
“I get asked a lot if kicking a football is just like kicking a soccer ball, and it honestly is. It’s the same exact motion,” she said. “I think being a soccer player helps you in terms of technique and accuracy because on a soccer goal, it’s a lot smaller and shorter, and you have to aim better. If you’re kicking a football, you have a bigger range.”
Her experience on the soccer team has helped prepare her for the role. Oisin Coveney (‘16) played kicker last year, and Alyssa Amick (‘15) for two years before that.
“It’s something that I wanted to do ever since freshman year, and this year a lot of my best friends are seniors on the team,” Kailee said. “I just thought it would be really fun to try out and be a part of it because last year I was an athletic trainer, and so I realized I would be spending a lot of hours with the team anyway.”
Her teammates have encouraged her and treated her fairly. Player Davis Howard (12) appreciates her presence on the team.
“Kailee is my best friend, so it’s great having her,” Davis Howard (12) said. “She gets us fired up in the games because whenever she’s in our coach always yells, ‘No one touches her; no one hits her,’ so everyone’s [thinks], ‘this is what we’re doing right now.’ Since our other kicker got injured, we don’t have a backup kicker, and [she’s doing] a very good job.”
Friend Peter Connors (11) also supports her playing for the team.
“I think she’s a great player,” Peter said. “She’s an amazing soccer player, so I know that she’s a great kicker. She’s better than anyone else on the football team at kicking. She definitely makes the team better.”
Before, Kailee would sit on the bleachers watching the football game, but now she plays on the field with the team.
“I like the intensity of games and getting to be out there for Friday night lights and all the hype, and this year I actually get to experience it as a player,” she said. “I really like just how much time I get to spend with some of my best friends. It’s been a really good experience so far.”
Kailee does not plan on playing football after the season. The football team will play against St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School on Sept. 30.
